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Product Comparison

Here's our complete breakdown comparing the ingredients, attributes, and more of DRMTLGY Broad Spectrum SPF 45 versus Paula's Choice Defense Essential Glow Moisturizer SPF 30 .

Last updated on December 05, 2023. Published on February 20, 2021

Overview

What they are

These products are both cruelty-free . They have a total of 9 ingredients in common

Cool Features

They both contain niacinamide, SPF and Vitamin E

Suited For

They're both likely to be good for fighting acne, dry skin, brightening skin, oily skin, reducing pores and dark spots

Free From

They both do not contain any harsh alcohols, common allergens, fragrances, parabens or sulfates

What's Inside

They both contain silicones

We independently verify ingredients, and our claims are backed by peer-reviewed research. Spot a product that need an update? Let us know.

Sunscreen American Brand United States
General Moisturizer American Brand United States

Sunscreen

Sunscreens help absorb or reflect UV radiation and protect skin against skin damage. Sunscreens may come in the form of lotion, gel, foam, spray, or solid-stick.

General Moisturizer

All-purpose moisturizers hydrate the top layer of skin cells.

Price

Shop

Buy Broad Spectrum SPF 45

Starts at $23.00
Shop

Buy Defense Essential Glow Moisturizer SPF 30

Starts at $35.00

Ingredient Info

Click any item below to learn more and view relevant ingredients.
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
spf rating
45
alcohol-free
silicon-free
fragrance-free
sulfate-free
paraben-free
oil-free
fungal-acne safe
reef-safe
eu-allergen-free
vegan
cruelty-free
spf rating
30

At a glance

Click on any of the items below to learn more

Notable Ingredients

Chemical UV Filter
Mineral UV Filter
Vitamin E
Niacinamide
Hyaluronic Acid

Benefits

Hydrating
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing
Reduces Large Pores
Dark Spots
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (3)

Concerns

Irritating

Notable Ingredients

Mineral UV Filter (2)
Vitamin C (2)
Vitamin E (2)
Exfoliators
Niacinamide
Peptides

Benefits

Hydrating (4)
Good For Oily Skin
Redness Reducing (3)
Reduces Irritation
Skin Texture (2)
Reduces Large Pores
Anti-Aging (3)
Dark Spots (4)
Scar Healing (2)
Acne Fighting (2)
Brightening (6)

Concerns

May Worsen Oily Skin (3)
Acne Trigger (2)
Irritating
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Ingredients Compared

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

Ingredients Side-by-side

Ingredients that are highlighted in purple are present in both products.

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Ingredients Explained

These ingredients are found in both products.

Ingredients higher up in an ingredient list are typically present in a larger amount.

1
What it does: Cosmetic Colorant, Skin Protecting, UV Absorber, UV Filter
Community Rating: Liked

Zinc Oxide is a mineral broad-spectrum UV filter; it is the broadest UVA and UVB reflector approved by the FDA. While it is most commonly man-made for cosmetics, it can naturally occur in zincite, a rare mineral.

Today, traditional and nano-sized zinc oxide can be found in beauty products. Nano-sized zinc oxide can enhance a product's UV protection. While it is not believed to have a negative effect on skin, nano-zinc oxide can be harmful to coral reefs.

More about harmful reef ingredients here.

Zinc Oxide also has antibacterial and calming properties. It is not water soluble.

Zinc has been used throughout history as an ingredient in paint and medicine. An Indian text from 500BC is believed to list zinc oxide as a salve for open wound. The Ancient Greek physician Dioscorides has also mentioned the use of zinc as an ointment in 1AD.

Learn more about Zinc Oxide

DRMTLGY Broad Spectrum SPF 45 contains this as ingredient number 1.

Paula's Choice Defense Essential Glow Moisturizer SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 3.

2
What it does: Skin Conditioning, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

Water. It's the most common cosmetic ingredient of all. You'll usually see it at the top of ingredient lists, meaning that it makes up the largest part of the product.

So why is it so popular? Water most often acts as a solvent - this means that it helps dissolve other ingredients into the formulation.

You'll also recognize water as that liquid we all need to stay alive. Talk about multi-purpose! If you see this, drink a glass of water. Stay hydrated!

Learn more about Water

DRMTLGY Broad Spectrum SPF 45 contains this as ingredient number 3.

Paula's Choice Defense Essential Glow Moisturizer SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 1.

3
What it does: Smoothing
Community Rating: Loved

Niacinamide has emerged as an all-star ingredient due to its many benefits.

It is known to treat acne by reducing inflammation. It also helps fade dark-spots and strengthen the skin by promoting the growth of the ceramide barrier.

Other benefits include smoothing wrinkles and minimizing redness.

The cherry on top? Niacinamide can also help build keratin, a protein that keeps skin firm.

When incorporating niacinamide into your routine, look out for concentration amounts. Typically, 5% niacinamide provides benefits such as fading dark spots. However, if you have sensitive skin, it is better to begin with a smaller concentration.

Niacinamide can be mixed with other ingredients to boost benefits. For instance, it has shown to be effective when used with copper, folic acid, and zinc to treat acne.

Learn more about Niacinamide

DRMTLGY Broad Spectrum SPF 45 contains this as ingredient number 5.

Paula's Choice Defense Essential Glow Moisturizer SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 19.

4
What it does: Humectant, Skin Conditioning, Skin Protecting, Solvent
Community Rating: Loved

Glycerin is already naturally found in your skin. It helps moisturize and protect your skin.

A study from 2016 found glycerin to be more effective as a humectant than AHAs and hyaluronic acid.

As a humectant, it helps the skin stay hydrated by pulling moisture to your skin. The low molecular weight of glycerin allows it to pull moisture into the deeper layers of your skin.

Hydrated skin improves your skin barrier; Your skin barrier helps protect against irritants and bacteria.

Glycerin has also been found to have antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Due to these properties, glycerin is often used in wound and burn treatments.

In cosmetics, glycerin is usually derived from plants such as soybean or palm. However, it can also be sourced from animals, such as tallow or animal fat.

This ingredient is organic, colorless, odorless, and non-toxic.

Glycerin is the name for this ingredient in American English. British English uses Glycerol/Glycerine.

Learn more about Glycerin

DRMTLGY Broad Spectrum SPF 45 contains this as ingredient number 11.

Paula's Choice Defense Essential Glow Moisturizer SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 5.

5
What it does: Antioxidant, Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Liked

Tocopheryl Acetate is AKA Vitamin E. It is an antioxidant and protects your skin from free radicals. Free radicals damage the skin by breaking down collagen.

One study found using Tocopheryl Acetate with Vitamin C decreased the number of sunburned cells.

Tocopheryl Acetate is commonly found in both skincare and dietary supplements.

Learn more about Tocopheryl Acetate

DRMTLGY Broad Spectrum SPF 45 contains this as ingredient number 12.

Paula's Choice Defense Essential Glow Moisturizer SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 20.

6
What it does: Buffering, Masking
Community Rating: Disliked

Citric Acid is an AHA derived from citrus fruits (think oranges, lemons, and limes!).

If you spot Citric Acid near the end of an ingredient list, it's likely there as a pH adjuster rather than an active ingredient.

As an AHA, Citric Acid removes the top layer of skin cells from the newer layer of skin underneath. This helps skin to remove dark spots and look more even.

Read more about some other popular AHA's here:

Learn more about Citric Acid

DRMTLGY Broad Spectrum SPF 45 contains this as ingredient number 17.

Paula's Choice Defense Essential Glow Moisturizer SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 34.

7
What it does: Preservative
Community Rating: Very Disliked

Phenoxyethanol is a preservative that has germicide, antimicrobial, and aromatic properties. Studies show that phenoxyethanol can prevent germ and microbial growth. By itself, it has a scent that is similar to that of a rose.

It's often used in formulations along with Caprylyl Glycol to preserve the shelf life of products.

DRMTLGY Broad Spectrum SPF 45 contains this as ingredient number 18.

Paula's Choice Defense Essential Glow Moisturizer SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 45.

8
What it does: Skin Conditioning
Community Rating: Mixed

Ethylhexylglycerin (we can't pronounce this either) is commonly used as a preservative and skin softener. It is derived from glyceryl.

You might see Ethylhexylglycerin often paired with other preservatives such as phenoxyethanol. Ethylhexylglycerin has been found to increase the effectiveness of these other preservatives.

DRMTLGY Broad Spectrum SPF 45 contains this as ingredient number 19.

Paula's Choice Defense Essential Glow Moisturizer SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 44.

9
What it does:
Community Rating: Disliked

Triethoxycaprylylsilane is a silicone used to bind and stabilize ingredients.

As an emulsifier, it helps prevent ingredients from separating. This can help elongate the shelf life of products.

Triethoxycaprylylsilane is often used to coat mineral sunscreens ingredients to help give a better feel. It also helps reduce oxidative stress in sunscreens.

Learn more about Triethoxycaprylylsilane

DRMTLGY Broad Spectrum SPF 45 contains this as ingredient number 22.

Paula's Choice Defense Essential Glow Moisturizer SPF 30 contains this as ingredient number 35.

Here's what our community thinks of the ingredients in these two products.

27% are loved or liked
9% have mixed ratings
41% are disliked or very disliked
23% have no rating yet
36% are loved or liked
16% have mixed ratings
38% are disliked or very disliked
11% have no rating yet

Usage

Here's some more info on how this product is used by our community.

When to use

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Reviews

Here's what our community thinks

DRMTLGY Broad Spectrum SPF 45 22 ingredients

2.2 /5
from 5 reviews
kyniwi's Avatar'
Jan 28, 2024

Smells terrible, is drying, and pills so bad! I can’t stand this.

Smells terrible, is drying, and pills so bad! I can’t stand this.

Drying
Pilling
Strong Scent
EstEstEst's Avatar'
Apr 7, 2024

Great fungal acne safe SPF! Slightly odd smell, but very mositurising. Leaves your skin feeling really soft.

Great fungal acne safe SPF! Slightly odd smell, but very mositurising. Leaves your skin feeling really soft.

Expensive
Absorbs Well
Strong Scent
Works Well

Paula's Choice Defense Essential Glow Moisturizer SPF 30 45 ingredients

Defense Essential Glow Moisturizer SPF 30 hasn't been rated yet.
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